Exploring the Role of Presidential Informal Powers in Modern Politics

Exploring the Role of Presidential Informal Powers in Modern Politics

As an executive authority, the US President holds a lot of power and influence, both through formal powers granted by the constitution and informal powers they exercise. This blog article aims to explore the ways in which modern presidents use their informal powers to complement their formal powers and achieve their political objectives.

What are Presidential Informal Powers?

Presidential informal powers are the powers a president has that are not defined in the constitution but that they derive from their position, public relations, and personal influence. Informal powers are not necessarily codified, but they can still have a significant impact on the president’s decision-making process and their ability to govern.

Some common types of informal presidential powers include:

– Executive orders
– Signing statements
– Bully pulpit
– Executive agreements

Executive Orders

Executive orders are directives issued by the president that carry the weight of law, although they are not codified in legislation. Executive orders allow presidents to formulate policies and implement them without the need for congressional approval. For example, President Obama’s DACA program was implemented through an executive order.

Signing Statements

Signing statements are written documents issued by the president when they sign a bill into law. Signing statements can be used to express reservations about specific provisions of the law, signal the president’s intent to disregard or selectively enforce the law, or to instruct executive agencies about how to implement the law. Signing statements cannot modify the text of a law, but they can still have a significant impact on how the law is carried out.

Bully Pulpit

The “bully pulpit” is a term used to describe the president’s ability to use their public platform to shape public opinion and influence policy. This informal power derives from the president’s status as a prominent public figure and their ability to attract media attention. For example, President Reagan used the bully pulpit to advocate for deregulation and tax cuts, which were eventually implemented by his administration.

Executive Agreements

Executive agreements are international agreements negotiated and signed by the president without the need for senate ratification. Executive agreements are a means for presidents to achieve foreign policy objectives without the need for congressional approval. For example, President Carter used an executive agreement to secure the release of American hostages being held in Iran.

Conclusion

Presidents have a significant amount of informal power at their disposal, which they can use to achieve their political objectives. Informal powers allow presidents to complement their formal powers, which are defined in the constitution, and to govern effectively. While informal powers can be controversial, they are an important aspect of presidential power and their use is likely to continue in modern politics.